Machine for reducing starch



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

B. ,W. GRAVE-S.

MACHINE FOR REDUCING STARGH.

N0. 250;14s. Patented Nov. 29,1881.-

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

R. W. GRAVES.

MACHINE FOR REDUCING STARGH.

No. 250,143. Patented Nov. 29,1881.

N. PEYERs. Phnlo-Lilhugmphm. Washinglon. D. C,

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROGER \V. GBAVES, OF BUFFALO, NElV YORK.

MACHINE FOR REDUCING STARCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 250,143, dated November 29, 1881.

Application filed July 15, 1881.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROGER W. GRAVES, of the city of Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Machines for Reducing Starch, of which the followingis aspecification.

This invention relates to the constructionof a machine whereby the lumps of starch are broken up previous to filling the moldsin which the starch is deposited and drained beforeit is dried in the kiln.

The object of the invention is to do away with manual labor for this purpose and to accomplish the desired reduction of the starch more thoroughly, more quickly, and at less expense than heretofore.

My invention consists of the various instrumentalities and combinations of instrumentalities which enter into the construction of my improved machine, as will be hereinafter fully described.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of two sheets, Figure 1 is an end elevation ofmy improved machine. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section in line or a, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of the machine. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section, taken above the rollers.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the stationary frame of the machine, constructed of wood or iron in any suitable manner.

B B represent two horizontal toothed rollers, provided with journals 7) b, which are supported in bearings c c secured to the frameA.

d are radial teeth arrangedin concentric rows on the surfaces of the rollers B B, the teeth in one roller passing through the spaces between the teeth in the other roller. The rollers are preferably constructed of wood and provided with heads B B which are secured to the ends of the rollers by screws or otherwise, and which The latter may be cast in one piece with these heads, and the heads may be provided with spurs which imbed themselves in the wood of the rollers, whereby a more secure connection of the heads with the bodies of the rollers is effected. The teeth (I are preferably made rectangular in crosssection, with their long side parallel with the axis (No model.)

of the roller, and are provided with a screwshank, which is tapped into the roller. Any other suitable means for securing the teeth to the rollers may, howcyer, be employed. The longitudinal rows of teeth are arranged slightly winding or spirally on the rollers, to betterenable the teeth to seize the lumps of starch.

E represents a casing, which incloses the backs and sides of the rollers, and E is the feed-hopper, which rests on the casing E and directs the starch between the adjacent faces of the rolls.

f f represent two rows of scrapers or flat teeth, which are secured to cross-pieces F F" underneath the rollers and bear against the bodies of the rollers between the concentric rows of teeth, so as to detach any starch which may adhere to the rollers.

9 represents the discharge-spout, through which the comminuted starch escapes from the rolls B B. p

h h represent two spur-wheels, whereby the rolls B B are geared together; and i is a bevelwheel secured to one of the roller-journals, and which receives motion from a similar wheel mounted on averti'cal or other convenient shaft.

-K represents a skid or horizontal rectangular frame, arranged underneath the discharge. spout g at a convenient height to receive the molds L, into which the starch is delivered from the discharge-spout g. These molds consist of oblong rectangular boxes, open at the top and provided in the bottom with suitable openings for the escape of the water. The molds are lined with cotton cloth, thin canvas, or other suitablefabric, which retains the starch and permits the water to drain off slowly. As shown in the drawings, the skid or frame K is arranged between the base-sills of the main frame A.

Z represents rollers journaled in the skid K, with their upper surfaces slightly above the skid-frame, to permit the empty molds to be readily moved under the spout g and the filled molds to be removed from the frame K.

m are longitudinal guide strips, which are attached to the upper side of the frame K, and

serve to confine the molds to their proper place on the frame K. The latter is suspended by vertical rods mattached with their lower ends to the frame K and passing with their upper ends through brackets N, which are secured to the frame A of the machine.

0 are spiral or other suitable springs, which surround the upper ends of the rods n and rest on the brackets N. The upper ends of the rods 01 are provided with screw threads and carry above the springs 0 heads 19, which are fastenedto therods, and below the brackets thumbnuts g, which bear against .the under sides of the bracket, and whereby the tension of the springs can be regulated.

r is a perforated water-pipe, arranged lengthwise above the rollers B B, preferably at the junction of the hopper E with the casing E, as shown, so that the spray of water issuing from the perforations of the pipe is directed between the adjacent faces of the rolls.

R is a' faucet or valve, arranged underneath the frame K and having its discharge orifice connected with the perforated pipe 1' by a pipe, 1", while its inlet orifice is connected with a convenient supply-pipe. The frame K is connected with the valve-stem of the faucet R by resting directly upon said stem or in any other suitable manner, so that the faucet will be opened by a downward movement of the frame K and closed by an upward movement of the same. The springs 0, which support the frame K, are preferably so adjusted that a slight deposit of starch in the mold L on the frame will depress the latter sufficiently to cause the faucet to open and the water spray to be discharged from the perforated pipe 1'.

The lumps of starch which are taken from the washing-vats or other vessel are delivered into the hopper E by an endless conveyerbelt or any other suitable mechanism. The lumps of starch fall from the hopper E between the toothed rolls B B, whereby they are broken into small fragments. The spray of water, which is at the same time delivered between the rolls, l'ecoines mixed with these finefragments, and produces a mixture ofstarch and water of a creamy consistency, which mixture passes through the spout g into the mold L. When a mold is filled it is removed from the frame K. The latter, being so relieved of the weight of the filled mold, is raised by the springs 0, whereby the faucet R is closed and the discharge of water from the perforations of the pipe 1' is arrested. An empty mold is then placed upon the frame K, when'the operation is repeated. The molds are afterward permitted to drain, and the starch is removed therefrom and further treated, as usual. In this manner the starch is rapidly and uniformly reduced and mixed with water, the molds are rapidly filled and removed, and the desired result accomplished more quickly and economically than when this operation is carried on by hand.

My improved machine may also be employed. for reducing the lumps of starch which are ob tained from the tables or depositors and at other stages of the process of manufacturing starch.

I claim as my invention 1. In an apparatus for reducing starch, the combination, with two rolls, B B, provided with projecting teeth or pins d, of scrapers ff, bearing against the surfaces of the rolls, substantially as set forth.

2. In an apparatus for reducing starch, the combination, with a reducingmechanism,B B, of a spray device, 1, substantially as set forth.

3. In an apparatus for reducing starch, the combination, with a reducing mechanism, B B, of a spray device, 1', and mechanism whereby the discharge of water from the spray device is automatically controlled, substantially as set forth.

4. In an apparatus for reducing starch, the combination,with the reducing mechanism B B, of a frame, K, adapted to support the molds, substantially as set forth.

5. In an apparatus for reducing starch, a mold-supporting frame, K, adapted to be depres ed by the weightot' the mold and its contents, substantially as set forth.

6. In an apparatus for reducing starch, the combination of a mold-supporting frame, K, adapted to be depressed by the weight of the mold and its contents with a water supply valve, R, which is opened when the frame is depressed and closed when the frame is raised, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, with the water-supply valve R, of the frame K, suspended on springs 0 and resting on the stem of the valve R, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination, with the main frame A, of the frame K, suspended by screw-rods n, passing through brackets N, and provided with heads 1), springs 0, resting on the brackets N, and thumb-nuts q, bearing against the under side of the brackets, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination, with the toothed rolls B B, of the mold-supporting frame K, suspended ou springs 0, valve It, adapted to be opened and closed by the movements of the frame K, and spray-pipe r, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination, with the mold-support.- ing frame K, ofrollersl and longitudinal guidestrips at, substantially 'as set forth.

11. An apparatus for converting the solid starch as it comes from the settling-tank into a semi-liquid state, so that it may be readily molded for baking, which consists of a pair of disintegrating -rollers provided with circumferential rows of teeth or projections and inclosed in a suitably-shaped box open at the top and bottom, and means for regulating the supply of water to be mixed with the starch as it is being disintegrated by the rollers, substantially as shown and described.

ROGER w. GRAVES.

Witnesses:

JNo.'J. BONNER, Enw. J. BRADY.

ICC 

